Im so lucky to be part of the Crowie team now, for a little over 2 years (with a mini few months off for mum life).

What is your role at the salon?

Actually, ive just been lucky enough to be promoted to Salon Manager (laughs, excitedly)!

You specialize in both hairstyling as a senior stylist for PORTFOLIO - can you tell us a little about what your skill set and how it differs from the other staff?

Well, its no secret that im a bit of a hair nerd! I specialize in colouring - as i've spent a good 12 years obsessing over my "blondes" - since i was trained-up to be meticulous and a little bit of a perfectionist. I was actually a Northern Beaches based hairdresser for a good decade; therefore blondes made up the majority of our clientele...and hey, i do love a good foil! But i seriously love a challenge too...a bit of an old-school foiling tech head meets freehand artist, when it comes to colour.

Hairstyling wise...? Well, being the hair nerd that i am, i spent one of my Sundays off this past month doing an advanced cutting course. I thrive on training and learning more...or working on the skills i already have! I love doing all hair types and just love having my clients trust me enough to let me do a good old chop.

What is the number one product (for your clients) in your arsenal that you couldn’t live without each day at work?

Oh! That's hard! I actually probably have a top 4! Eeeekk, hahaha! My all time go-to has gotta be the SP Lux Oil. I use it 3-4 times a day...wet, dry - especially when i feel a clients ends are dry. I just can't go a day without it...

Any quick tips for home hair maintenance? What advice would you give when in a rush to get out the door?

Being a time poor mum i love a quick getaway. I always do three shampoos and then a treatment on my hair. Treatments are so much more instant these days. Gone are the days of leaving it on for 3-5 minutes, so i use it like a conditioner. Then, because my hair's cleaner (due to the three shampoos applied) my blowdry lasts longer...and using the Keratin Thermique by Kerastase it probably cuts down my blowdry time by about half. FYI - the more time you spend on your hair, the longer the style, or blowdry lasts.

Any funny customer stories whilst working in the salon (names withheld)?

Oh easily - one of the funnest is when one of my clients...comes in still drunk...and obviously is always a lot more confident in her hair decisions and her banter (with me). Obviously being more keen for a change with her hair too. I really, thoroughly, enjoy watching her sobering-up process over the course of a couple hours, and then realization of what shes requested for her hair overhaul...she usually does this once a year. Somewhat hilarious!

What advice would you give to someone looking to get into hairdressing for the first time?

Do it!! This job has been so rewarding. I've been lucky enough to work in fantastic salons with inspiring teams, even managing to travel Australia for work seminars. I love that a machine can never take away from the art of hairdressing. It takes compassion and skill. Its so personalised. Creative and fun, yet still a hobby for me - going on 12 years strong.